Evangeline Downs cancels eight races Thursday due to heavy rain

OPELOUSAS, La. – Citing the torrential rainfall that beset southern Louisiana on Thursday afternoon and early evening, Evangeline Downs canceled the final eight races on the program following a lengthy delay. The horses were briefly called out for the second race only to be returned to the paddock just prior to the stewards’ decision.

“We are not going to put anybody’s lives in danger,” said Louisiana state steward Brook Hawkins. “The riders said there were some spots of concern on the backstretch.”

Radar estimates indicated that close to four inches of rain fell on the Opelousas area in a short time Thursday. That rainfall was in addition to several inches that fell earlier in the week.